Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 465: Dawn ()

"Veah, the dune dragons are ready for flight whenever you are." These were the words that drew Neveah out of the deep thoughts that plagued her mind and brought her attention back to reality.

"Yes, father...in a moment." Neveah replied quickly,

But still, her response was a heartbeat too late and Kaideon already had the look on his face, the knowing look Neveah had come to recognize would always grace his face when he knew something was off.

"Are you alright?" Kaideon asked quietly, shutting Neveah’s door behind him.

"Because if you feel even the slightest discomfort, we can always extend our return... make certain you are in good health.

"You have had just a day of rest, Everon still insists the flight to the dunes will be too tasking on your health." Kaideon reminded, still worried.

Neveah sighed quietly, it had only been a day yet it already felt like a year had gone by... one of such long, dreary days was more than enough.

"Child, tell me what is on your mind. I want you to leave with me more than anyone, but I do not want you in discomfort...a chosen bond may not be as powerful as a true bond, but a severed bond is one of the most painful experiences."

"Everon is the most excelled physician in all the stronghold and his diagnosis cannot be overlooked, you need undisturbed rest and ample time to recover...there is no hurry." Kaideon reasoned with Neveah.

Kaideon had been left astonished by Neveah’s decision when she had declared just the night before that she wanted to leave Dragon Keep at dawn and he still was.

Kaideon was not sure what had happened exactly, though he had made his findings but he still wanted to hear from Neveah.

"Father is here, talk to me..." Kaideon coaxed gently, knowing Neveah was not accustomed to sharing her feelings but more often kept them bottled up, weighing on her alone.

"I went to see him... yesterday. Though I am certain you already knew that." Neveah murmured quietly.

She had not said anything to Kaideon since he had returned from his summons to find her lying in bed, curled up on herself.

"And...?" Kaideon asked, nodding his head to confirm that he already knew.

There was no judgement in his tone, or any form of disappointment, all Neveah could see in Kaideon’s eyes was concern.

"It was more than her request... I also needed some form of... finality..." Neveah murmured.

"Did you get what you wanted, then?" Kaideon asked Neveah, walking over to her.

"I am not sure. I do not have any unanswered questions, and so it seems to be...but I still do not feel any more at ease than I was before." Neveah admitted with a shake of her head.

"There is nothing I can do here that will change this. Seeing Everon... does not make me feel any better, father. If anything, the guilty look in his eyes when he looks at me only makes me feel worse..."

"Somehow he believes I will blame him, for preserving her life even when Menarx did not order it." Neveah said with a quiet sigh.

"Do you blame him?" Kaideon asked.

Neveah thought about it for a moment, she did not wish to be in Everon’s presence, this was true but it was not because she blamed him,

It was just that guilt in his eyes that was hard to see, it made Neveah feel Everon had never truly understood her.

"I do not... I simply do not have the strength to care anymore. I just want to go home." Neveah said quietly.

"Let us return home then." Kaideon agreed.

Neveah smiled slightly, glancing down at the pile of clothing she had been organising, a neat heap of carefully made riding dresses, all the pairs Menarx had gifted.

Neveah had sent them to be laundered, not because they needed to be but as a way to get them off her hands without feeling too deeply affected by it.

She had not expected the attendants could not take a hint and still had them delivered back to her quarters.

"Will you take them with you?" Kaideon asked Neveah when he noticed where her gaze was.

Neveah had packed nothing else, she did not need to, Kaideon had assured Neveah all she needed would be provided...all that belonged to the Keep and the memories that came with them could be left behind.

But for these, Neveah felt conflicted. They were amongst the most treasured gifts Menarx had given her and though Neveah knew it was only right to give everything back, it was still a difficult call to make.

However it was a call she had to make, one way or the other and the last thing she needed was a box full of memories of a man that could never be hers.

"It is dawn already, we have yet to hear a death announcement..." Neveah pointed out a fact that was already obvious to everyone in the Keep.

A fact Kaideon obviously attempted to avoid having to speak on.

"You know, father? Do not tell me. Whatever decision he has made is right..." Neveah murmured, shaking off any thoughts that attempted to take root in her mind.

"As for these... have Estelle burn them, dispose of them, whatever." Neveah decided with finality.

Neveah strode out of her quarters, carrying nothing on her person but a small satchel.

She headed to the landing platform where she knew the dune dragons would be.

It was only dawn, the Keep was still quiet save for the attendants who hurried about, seeing to the morning affairs.

Neveah did not expect to find anyone waiting for her at the landing platform, the necessary goodbyes had been said and she had made it clear that she did not wish to be seen off or have her departure made into a huge affair.

But the last person Neveah expected to see and the one person she had conveniently forgotten to bid her goodbyes to stood there...by himself, the dune dragons nowhere to be found.

He stood with his arms crossed behind his back and his gaze ahead, his back faced to Neveah.

But his regal stance and noble aura could never be mistaken, as well as those gleaming silver tresses.

"Your Grace." Neveah greeted, lowering her head to a small bow.